New Ports Deal; Not What it Seems

Along with the Dubai announcement that the US ports will be sold to a United States company, came a big sigh of relief from the majority of Americans. But, before the American people celebrate a victory in achieving what a democracy is supposed to be, there are some things that need to be considered. The “withdrawal,” if that is what it really is, lacks something. A big something, and that something smells bad. The old line about "trust him as far as I can throw him" comes to mind. Let’s look at the possibilities.

Political cover for Boosh

This alleged backoff by the UAE saves Boosh from the humiliation of having the Republican revolt scar him politically. Not that it should matter, he damn sure isn't running for re-election again anywhere and could care less about political considerations. But, if one took it at face value, Boosh can claim that the UAE did this on their own. Sure, just like they "volunteered" to have a second 45 day re-review of the merits of their ownership. Both rather foolish claims, but each could possibly work in the eyes of the average brain dead American. This would be the easiest out for Boosh, and one solution to the security problem, if it were legitimate. However, I have my doubts about the motives here.

First, to think that the Dubai folks “volunteered” to do this is utterly naïve. They are in this at best to make money, at worst to maybe send some bad packages our way, and certainly build on their standing as our “new pals” in the war on terror. For Boosh to claim that he is worried about the "signal" that backing out of this deal would send to the world, is laughable. I don't think it ranks quite as high as the signal that the Iraq invasion, the torture of uncharged civilians, the Indian nuclear deal, etc. has sent, but whatever. Dubai has made it clear that they intend to get the $700 million for these ports that they had figured as the cost for them. The possibility of lulling us to sleep is very real, though admittedly it is difficult to further comatose the US citizens or Congress.

Congress

The House of Representatives has already begun action that would stop this deal dead in its tracks. The Senate is not far behind. Stop it even before the new 45 day scam of an investigation occurs. To not finish these bills and follow them with an immediate up or down vote would be the same as never objecting in the first place. If, this is a cover story, cooked up by the Booshies and Dubai, they could sneak this thing in a month or two down the road. Here’s how. Suppose that no American company can swing the $700 million to purchase the ports, or simply doesn’t want to do it. In the interim, Dubai runs the ports while trying to sell them. Nothing goes wrong, the elections get closer, people get distracted by other events, and Boosh claims that, “see, there’s nothing wrong with the way they do business.” The Republicans have the out that they need, withdraw their objections and the deal is done. Merrily we proceed, once again having been sold out by Congress and Booshco.

The New Investigation

The new phony 45 day investigation turns up nothing as we already know will happen. It is, after all being done by the same people who did the first one. People who think of dollar signs and not security. Should Congress stop what it is doing, we may have no legal recourse to remove UAE from their contract. With the stamp of approval of the new, improved Supreme Court of the United States, of course.

Be Wary
The bottom line is this. Something smells here, and I don’t think it is a Boosh exit strategy to save him and his Republican buddies some face. Boosh doesn’t care about the Republicans up for re-election any more than he does for me or you; I’m just not sure that the Republicans realize this. This is a dangerous game, one that Congress, on behalf of the security of the citizens of the United States cannot afford to play.

The proof will be in what the Congress does over the next few days. They must follow through with the legislation to stop this deal until it is dead and buried. This is another “trust me” play on the part of Boosh, and people are hopefully through trusting this moron. Should our Congress suddenly pull back their legislation, buy the bullshit that Boosh is trying to sell, we will end up with the UAE owning our ports and all of the furor will have been for naught. Boosh will have pulled another one over the eyes of Congress, and sometime in the future we will learn the consequences of having a regime that supports the Taliban, refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist, and to this day launders terrorist money running our ports. Exactly what we have been trying to prevent since, to the dismay of Boosh, this deal saw the light of day, absolutely will occur if Congress does not finish the job.

This "new deal" is not what it is being portrayed as, but simply another used car sales pitch to convince the American people that someone is on our side. I, for one, don't buy it for a second. Nor should you.

Cyclone


"I'm hopeful. I know there is a lot of ambition in Washington, obviously. But I hope the ambitious realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure."

George W. Boosh--- Interview with the Associated Press
January 18, 2001